Umbrella



Aug- 14, 1923.

J. REID uuaasm 1119a Aug. 24. 1922 Ta 0 L P M a u n a Patented Aug. 14,1923.

JAMES REID, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

UMBRELLA.

Application filed August 24, 1922. Serial No. 583,963.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES Run), a citizen ofthe I lnited States, and a resident of New York city, borough ofManhattan, county and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Umbrellas, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to umbrellas of-the so-called emergency typeusually constructed from waterproof paper or some similar material.

An important object of the invention is to provide a generally improvedumbrella of the class mentioned which is strong, durable, compact andinexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and certain advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a somewhat enlargedfragm-ental sectional view of an umbrella embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4c is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a somewhat enlarged cross sectional view of a ribillustrating the manner in which certain retaining bands are indentedinto locking engagement therewith.

F igure 6 is a sectional view somewhat similar to that of Figure 1showing the complete frame of the umbrella in its extended position.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown what Iat present consider the preferred form of my invention, the numeral 5indicates a stick or handle, which is square in cross section and forcertain economical reasons constructed from wood. Inasmuch as the stickis square in cross section, I am enabled to utilize the same to preventturning thereupon of a pccullia-rly constructed runner hereinafter moreparticularly described. To the upper end of the sticlr there isconnected a spider 6, having a pluralit of arms 7, the longitudinaledges of whic are folded over into grip ping engagement with a pluralityof flexible strap-like members 8, constructed from a suitableinexpensive material such as paper or fiber. These strap-like membersfunction as hinges for a plurality of ribs 9, constructed from asuitable inexpensive material such as wood and are connected thereto bymeans of metallic bands 10, shown most c early in Figures 1 and 2. Inconnecting the strap like members to their respective ribs the metallicbands are positioned thereupon and are thereafter at their opposite endsdriven or embedded into the ribs, thus providing a simple and reliableform of fastening most clearly shown in Figure 5. The ribs 9 carry aplurality of yoke-like clamps 11, the longitudinal edges of which arefolded into gripping engagement with flexible strap-like hinge elements12 clamped to the outer ends of a plurality of stretchers 13 by means ofmetallic bands 14, identical with those indicated by the numeral 10. ItWill be noted that the strap-like hinge elements 12 are passed aroundthe ends of the several stretchers in such a manner that the ends of thestretchers 13 exert a thrust directly on these elements when theumbrella is raised so as to relieve the bands 14 of as much strain aspossible, and that the clamps 11 are so anchored as to resist suchthrust by means of penetrating indentures 11 formed in the sides thereofand embedded in the sides of the ribs.

Upon the stick or handle 5 there is arranged a slide or runner 15 whichis adapted to be retained in its elevated position by means of aresilient locking element 16, suitably connerted to the handle. Theslide or runner comprises a six sided inner band 17, two faces of whichare disposed in a parallel relation to corresponding faces of the stickor handle 5 to prevent the runner from rotating thereon, whereas theremaining faces of the band are disposed at an angle with respect to theremaining faces or sides of the stick in order that the runner vmay passfreely over the locking element 16, thereby saving the expense and laborof slotting a groove to receive the wire look, as is the practice in theusual high priced umbrelila. Around the inner band 17 there is disposeda locking ring or band 18 having an open in 19 at one end and a tongue20 at the ot er end, which tongue is adapted to be passed through theopening in order that the outer ring may loo-locked in gri pingengagement with a plurality of flexib e hinge me bers 21 carried by theinner ends of t e stretchers 13. As an additional means for retainingthe hinge members in their proper positions the locking ring 18 may bepunched to provide a plurality oiindents if)" having intimate engagementwith the ends oi the hinge members shown in Figure 3.

The inner and outer bands 1? and i5, respectively, are constructed fromsome suitable inexpensive material and by reason of the fact that therunner comprising the same is so constructed as to prevent its rotation,it is obvious that the hinge members 21 are relieved of the torsionalstrains and stresses to which they would be subjected if the runner werepermitted to rotate upon the stick, due to unequal and unevenlydistributed thrusts exerted thereupon by the stretchers 13 when themnbrella is being raised. Inasmuch as the hinge members, due to thepeculiar construction of the runner, are relieved of such unduetorsional strains and stresses it follows that 1 am enabled to use, inthe construction elf these members, a very cheap material. such as paperor fiber, which would otherwise be inadequate. The hinge members 21 areheld in their respective positions upon the inner ends of thestretcher-s 13 by means of metallic bands 22, identical with theseindicated by the numerals l and 14. It will be noted that the strips ofilexible material from Which the hinge member 2. are i'ori'ned are sofolded around the inner ends of the stretchers 13 that the hingeportions :28 thereof are maintained out of engagement with the band 18by the lower or reinforcing portions '24., and are thereby protectedagainst the relatively sharp upper edge of the band 18.

In order to provide an inexpensive but yet satisfactory covering for theumbrella frame, the elements of which have previously been described, Iemploy rater-proof paper which may be cut into approximatelytriangularly shaped segments and applied without any substantial loss ofmaterial.

lVith umbrellas, particularly those ol the class to which my inventionrelates. a highly important factor to be considered is collapsibility,and to facilitate collapsing of the umbrella into a. highly compact unitl. as will be readily amireciated. have so con nected the several ribs 9to the spider 6 to provide sutlicient clearance between the arms 7thereof and the inner ends of the ribs 9 to permit their being readilymoved into a parallel or substantially parallel. relation with respectto the stick. Furthermore, by reason of the fact that the severalstraplike hinge elements 12 are passed over the outer ends of thestretchers the ribs and stretchers are permitted to assume a parallel orsubstantially parallel relation with respect to the stick when theumbrella is collapsed, and likewise the several stretchers, due to theirpeculiar form of connections with the runner 15, are permitted to moveinto proximity. to the stick and assume a parallel or substantiallyparallel relation thereto. It may be remarked that this completecollapsing is obtained freely and easily, as will be readilyappreciated, without setting up any undue strain within the severalhinge elements and other respective cooperative members.

I claim:

1. An umbrella comprising a stick, a plurality of ribs, flexibleelements hingedly connecting said ribs to said stick, retaining elementsconnecting said flexible ele ments with said ribs, and means foranchoring said flexible elements to said stick.

2. An un'ibrella comprising a stick, a plurality of ribs, flexibleelements liingedly connecting said ribs to said stick, retainingelements connecting said flexible elements with said ribs, and means foranchoring said flexible elements to said stick, said anchoring meanscomprising a spider having arms, margins of which are clenched intogripping engagement with said flexible elements.

3. An umbrella con'iprising a stick, a pinrality of ribs hingedlyconnected to said stick, a plurality of stretchers, and flexibleelements connecting said ribs to said stretchers, said flexible elementsbeing so i'olded about the ends of said stretchers as to receive thelongitudinal thrusts exerted thereby when the umbrella is raised.

4. An umbrella comprising a stick, a plurality of ribs hingedlyconnected to said stick, a plurality of stretchers, a plurality ofyoke-like clamps carried by said ribs, a plurality of flexible elementsconnected to said ribs, said flexible elements being permanentlyattached to said ribs by said yokelike clamps and so folded over theends of said stretchers as to receive the longitudinal thrusts exertedthereby when the umbrella is raised.

5. An umbrella comprising a stick, a plurality of ribs hingedlyconnected to said stick, a plurality oi stretchers hingedly connected tosaid ribs, a runner carried by said stick, hinge members connected tosaid stretcher-s and runner. said hinge members being in the form offlexible strips.

6. An umbrella comprising a stick, a pinrality oi ribs hingedlyconnected to said stick, a plurality of stretchers hingedly connected tosaid ribs, a runner slidable on said stick, a plurality f hinge elementsconnected to said stick and runner, said hinge elements being in theform of strips of flexible material so folded as to provide hingeportions and protective portions adapted to relieve the wear of saidrunner upon said hinge portions in opening and closing the umbrella.

7. An umbrella comprising a stick, a plurality of ribs hingedlyconnected to said stick, a plurality of stretcher-s hingedly conill)nected to said ribs, a runner slidable on said stick, a plurality ofhinge elements connected to said stretchers and runner, said hingeelements being in the form of strips of flexible material so folded asto provide hinge portions and protective portions adapted to relieve thewear of said runner upon said hinge portions when opening and closingthe umbrella, and metallic bands for retaining said hinge elements uponthe ends of their respective stretchers.

8. An umbrella comprising a multi-faced stick, a plurality of ribshingedly connected to said stick, a plurality of stretchers hingedlyconnected to said ribs, a runner slidable on said stick, said runnerbeing polysided and adapted to cooperate with the faces of said stick toretain the runner against rotation with respect to said stick, and aplurality of flexible hinge members connecting said runner with saidstretchers.

9. An umbrella comprising a stick, a plurality of ribs hingedlyconnected to said stick, a plurality of stretchers hingedly connected tosaid ribs, a runner slidable on said stick, a plurality of hingeelements connected to said stretchers and runner, said hinge elementsbeing in the form of strips of flexible material so folded as to providehinge portions and protective portions adapted to relieve the wear ofsaid runner upon said hinge portions in opening and closing theumbrella, and metallic bands for retaining said hinge elements upon theends of their respective stretchers, and a gripping band for attachingsaid hinge elements to said runner.

10. An umbrella comprising a multi-faced stick, a plurality of ribs,flexible members connecting said ribs with said stick, a plurality ofstretchers, flexible elements connecting said stretchers with said ribs,a runner comprising a pair of spaced bands, one of which is soconstructed as to engage a plurality of faces of said stick to retainsaid runner against rotation with respect to said stick, and flexiblehinge members attached to the inner ends of said stretchers and havingtheir ends permanently attached to said runner intermediate said bands.

11. An umbrella comprising a multi-faced stick, ribs hingedly connectedto said stick, stretchers hingedly connected to said ribs, a

runner slidable on said stick, said runner being provided with a greaternumber of faces than said stick, certain faces of said runner beingadapted to cooperate with corresponding faces of said stick to retainsaid runner against rotation with respect to said stick, and means forhingedly connecting said stretchers t said runner.

12. An umbrella comprising a stick, ribs hingedly connected to saidstick, a runner slidable upon said stick, stretchers hingedly connectedto said ribs, and hinge members so connecting said runner with saidstretchers, as to permit the stretchers to freely move into proximity tosaid stick when the umbrella is collapsed, said hinge members being inthe form of strips of flexible material folded over the ends of saidstretchers to provide hinge and reinforcing portions.

13. An umbrella comprising a stick, ribs hingedly connected to saidstick, a runner slidable upon said stick, stretchers hingedly connectedto said runner, and hinge members so connecting said ribs with saidstretchers as to permit the stretchers to freely move into proximity tosaid ribs along the inner faces thereof when the umbrella is collapsed,said hinge members being in the form of strips of flexible material, sofolded over the ends of said ribs as to receive the longitudinal thrustsexerted thereby when the umbrella is raised.

14. An umbrella comprising a stick, ribs hingedly connected to saidstick, a plurality of stretchers hingedly connected to said ribs, arunner slidable upon said stick, hinge members so connecting said runnerwith said stretchers as to permit the stretchers to freely move inproximity with said stick when the umbrella is collapsed, said hingemembers being in the form of flexible strips so folded over the innerends of said stretchers as to provide hinge and reinforcing portions,and hinge elements connecting said stretchers with said ribs, said hingeelements being in the form of strips of flexible material, so foldedover the outer ends of said stretchers as to receive the longitudinalthrusts exerted thereby when the umbrella is raised.

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature to t is specification.

JAMES REID.

